title: Absence of antibody to human immunodeficiency virus in long-term, socially rehabilitated methadone maintenance patients.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has become widespread among parenteral drug abusers. We measured antibody to HIV and hepatitis B virus markers in 58 long-term, socially rehabilitated methadone-maintained former heroin addicts. None of the 58 had antibody to HIV, but one or more markers of hepatitis B virus infection were seen in 53 (91%). The duration of methadone maintenance was 16.9 +/- 0.5 years, and the median dose of methadone was 60 mg (range, 5 to 100 mg). Before methadone treatment, the patients had abused heroin parenterally for 10.3 +/- 1.7 years, and they had engaged in additional high-risk practices for HIV infection. We conclude that successful outcomes during methadone maintenance treatment are associated with sparing of parenteral drug abusers from HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 10003.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Novick
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Croxson
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Salsitz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Richman
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poretsky
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Keefe
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Whimbey
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000276:immunology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D008691:Methadone